WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., today joined a bipartisan group of 21 senators in calling on President Obama to speak out publicly in support of the people of Hong Kong and their right to full democracy.

In their letter to the President, the senators state: “The people of Hong Kong should be applauded and supported for their remarkable courage and determination despite extraordinarily challenging circumstances.” The senators also urged the Administration to “take demonstrable, meaningful steps to help ensure that Beijing maintains its commitments to the people of Hong Kong.”

“Hong Kong’s young people have demonstrated enormous potential as change agents and deserve our support as they seek to transform their region through the power of democracy,” said Sen. Booker. “As peaceful protestors have demonstrated throughout our own nation’s history, their actions can be the force that inspires positive change. I applaud their relentless commitment and hope that we will engage in productive dialogue to support this movement.”

Booker was joined by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Marco Rubio, R-Fla, Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Richard Burr, R-N.C., Ben Cardin, D-Md., Bob Casey, D-Penn., Thad Cochran, R-Miss., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Al Franken, D-Minn., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., Carl Levin, D-Mich., Mary Landrieu, D-La., John McCain, R-Ariz., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., John Thune, R-S.D., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

Below is the full text of the letter:

October 9, 2014

The Honorable Barack Obama
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We write to you regarding the United States’ policy towards Hong Kong.

As democratically elected members of the United States Senate, we strongly support the Hong Kong people's aspiration for universal suffrage and full democracy. Hong Kong’s economic prosperity and position as Asia’s “world city” is rooted in fundamental rights, including freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression, and the press.

The people of Hong Kong should be applauded and supported for their remarkable courage and determination despite extraordinarily challenging circumstances in recent days. The “Umbrella Movement” has shown the world the inspirational power of free expression in defense of the basic right to choose one’s leaders freely. In the wake of the Chinese Communist Party’s public threats and the recent physical attacks against peaceful demonstrators, we encourage you to speak out personally in support of the Hong Kong people’s democratic aspirations.

The United States and Hong Kong have enjoyed a strong relationship with close cultural, economic, and financial ties for over two centuries. We believe that at this critical time it is appropriate and necessary for the United States to help advance universal suffrage, full democracy, and the rule of law in Hong Kong:

·This December marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Hong Kong would be governed by “One Country, Two Systems” until at least 2047. At the request of the People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom, the United States expressed support for the Joint Declaration as an instrument of international law.

·The United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 [P.L. 102-383] states that it is United States policy to help preserve Hong Kong’s unique status and to support democratization in Hong Kong. As you know, the Act also authorizes you to suspend trade and economic provisions should Beijing not provide sufficient autonomy for Hong Kong as outlined by the Joint Declaration.

Beijing’s backsliding on its commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration poses a significant threat to Hong Kong’s position as a center of international trade and finance and adds to concerns about China’s commitment as a responsible participant in the international system. Over the past week, the people of Hong Kong have reminded the world what is at stake. We urge you and your administration to take demonstrable, meaningful steps to help ensure that Beijing maintains its commitments to the people of Hong Kong.

Sincerely,

Senator Cory Booker
Senator Patrick Leahy
Senator Roger Wicker
Senator Marco Rubio
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Richard Burr
Senator Ben Cardin
Senator Bob Casey
Senator Thad Cochran
Senator John Cornynv
Senator Ted Cruz
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Al Franken
Senator Lindsey Graham
Senator Jim Inhofe
Senator Carl Levin
Senator Mary Landrieu
Senator John McCain
Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Senator John Thune
Senator Elizabeth Warren